Oxford United’s January recruitment plans were inadvertently revealed this week after a video shared on social media appeared to show a list of players the club was targeting during the transfer window.
The clip, posted to Instagram by the wife of minority shareholder Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth, showed him reading out names from a document to a child. The list, visible on screen, was quickly identified by supporters as a possible shortlist of January signings.
According to SPORTbible, several current and recent Championship players could be seen or heard in the video, prompting speculation that the document was an internal transfer target list.
Among the names mentioned were West Ham midfielder George Earthy, who spent last season on loan at Bristol City, and Nottingham Forest defender Tyler Bindon, currently on loan at Sheffield United.
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The list circulating online also included Paddy McNair, Isiah Jones, Yu Hirakawa, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Aidomo Emakhu, Alex Robertson, Ryan Hardie, Paris Maghoma and Jack Taylor.
One notable inclusion was Sam Morsy, who has since joined Bristol City on a six-month deal. The 34-year-old midfielder returned to English football after a spell in Kuwait, having left Ipswich Town in the summer.
Morsy captained Ipswich to consecutive promotions from League One to the Premier League and was widely expected to attract interest from Championship clubs. SPORTbible reported that Oxford United were among those monitoring his situation before he opted to move to Ashton Gate.
Another player said to feature on the leaked list was Jamie Donley, who has since signed for Oxford from Tottenham on loan, with an option to make the move permanent.
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The apparent leak comes at a sensitive time for Oxford, who are fighting to secure their Championship status. The club currently sits 22nd in the table, just one point above the relegation zone.
Oxford return to league action on January 17 with a home fixture against Bristol City. Their most recent match, against Sheffield United, was postponed earlier this week due to a frozen pitch.
SPORTbible said it has contacted Oxford United for comment.
Sources: SPORTbible
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